SALISBURY City Council is seemingly set to discuss the future of the Market Place toilets at a meeting next month.

The council’s cost-cutting move to close the facilities in the Market Place and at the Central Car Park at the end of March proved to be controversial with some residents.

But the council claimed the closure was needed, as the facilities had become “a focus for anti-social behaviour” with reports of sexual assaults, deaths and three incidents of arson over the years, as well as concerns over the annual maintenance fee, which is said to be £100,000.

The council previously submitted plans to redevelop the Market Place toilets in February, which would have seen the below-ground toilet block converted into a storage area for market traders and council workers with three new unisex toilets built at ground level.

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But these plans were withdrawn following calls for a wider consultation from stakeholders such as the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, the Salisbury Business Improvement District and Bradbeers.

Now, the council said it is set to discuss an “options paper” at the full council meeting on July 14.

They said updates will be provided when appropriate.

The Full Council meeting will be held at The Guildhall from 6.30pm to 8pm on Monday, July 14.

A petition calling for a stop to the closure of both facilities has reached 3,036 signatures.